Tray for card tables



Dec. 6, 1949 J, QGNIBENE 2,490,702

TRAY FOR CARD TABLES Filed April 16, 1946 Patented Dec. 6, 19492,990.70; erges D; me its Paul J. Ognibene, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application April 16, 1946, Serial No. 662,540

2 Claims.

My invention relates to detachable table trays and more particularly toan ash tray and drink holder for card tables.

It is well known that the placing of ash trays, glasses, score pads, andcandy dishes on a card table presents a considerable problem in view ofthe limited space which remains for actual card playing. For thispurpose, I propose to employ a duplex tray which utilizes the extremecorner of the card table as well as extending out beyond the corner ofthe table to provide additional space. My tray is primarily adapted tohold a removable ash tray and an additional receptacle such as adrinking glass, a cup and saucer, a candy dish, or a score pad.

An object of my invention, therefore, is to provide a detachable trayfor playing card tables having a circular depression to accommodateeither a glass or an ash tray, and a generally rectangular or squaredepression for accommodating other articles.

A further object of my invention is to provide a quickly detachable trayfor card tables which will prevent accidental upsetting of ash trays andtumblers.

A further object is to provide a detachable tray for playing card tableswhich will utilize the extreme corner of a playing card table for thepurpose of securely positioning objects near the edge of the tablewithout the danger that they will be accidentally pushed off the table.

A further object of my invention is to provide a tray for playing cardtables having resilient spring clamping means to engage the underside ofthe table.

Further objects will be apparent from the specification and drawings, inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the tray constructed according to my invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 illustrates the manner of attaching the tray to the corner of aplaying card table; and

Figs. 4 and 5 are details of the clamping device.

While certain novel features of the invention are disclosed herein withconsiderable detail with respect to certain particular forms of theinvention, it is not desired to be limited to such details since manychanges and modifications may well be made without departure from thespirit of the invention in its broadest aspect.

My tray is constructed with a bottom l0 extending the entire length ofthe tray. Attached to bottom is is a hollow block II and perpendicularsides 52 and 13. Block II is hollowed out at M to accommodate any objectwhich it may be desired to place on a card table, for example, ash trayI5. Sides l2 and I3 form an enclosed area over one end of base I!) inwhich other objects, as described above, may be conveniently placed.Approximately mid-way of base l0, triangular shaped notches Illa, [0aare cut at 45 angles to accommodate legs or straps I 6 which extendvertically downward from base I0 and which are attached to block II byscrews l1. Block H is of generally rectangular shape and has the twoouter corners thereof somewhat rounded and the two opposite innercorners thereof beveled to correspond to the triangular notches Illa,Illa. The card tray is securely held to a card table by means of flatsprings I8 having a curved upper portion is engaging slidably theunderside of the card table 20. Springs 18 are attached to straps [6 bymeans of rivets 2|.

The rigid attachment of legs [6 and the combination of a non-resilientleg or strap with a strip of flat spring stock of rounded configurationpermits the tray to be readily attached and detached from the table andat the same time provides ample rigidity and support for all re- .quiredpurposes.

The distance between the upper curved portion IQ of the springs and thebottom of base I0 is calculated so that the tray can be easily butsecurely engaged with a standard size card table.

A particular advantage of my construction is that the extreme cornerarea of the table is utilized in addition to an area enclosed by sidesl2 and I3 which extends out beyond the surface of the card table. I havefound in practice that the locking action obtained by means of strap I6and springs l8 permits weights as high as five pounds to be placed atthe outer extremity of the tray without danger of disconnection from thetable.

Furthermore, it will be possible to construct the tray from wood or fromany combination of synthetic plastic materials. It will be possible,furthermore, to mold the tray in one piece or to manufacture it fromcomponent parts as illustrated.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A tray for playing card tables comprising a base member of generallyrectangular configura tion, a block attached to one end of said basemember, said block having a round opening adapted to receive an ash trayor the like, side walls attached to the other edges of the base member,said side walls forming a generally rectangular enclosure, said sidewalls positioned 3 along three edges of the base member and adjacent theblock, and a pair of clamping legs secured centrally of said basemember, said clamping legs being located at an angle of 45 to theopposite sides of the base member and extending downwardly to engage theunderside of a card table top.

2. A removable tray for card tables and the like, comprising a generallyrectangular body member having a pair of notches centrally located onopposite sides of said body member, a depending leg rigidly secured tothe body member in each of said notches, a resilient clip constitutingthe lower terminus of said leg, and walls on the 4, top of said bodymember defining recesses for receiving and retaining small objects.

PAUL J. OGNIBENE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 Number Name Date 1,528,855 Smith Mar. 10, 19251,993,702 Brunhofi Mar. 5, 1935 2,147,539 Marchant Feb. 14, 1939 12,260,774 Dorsett Oct. 28, 1941

